The Chicago Cubs are seeing their free agent targets go off the board one by one. Brad Keller signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, and then Michael King agreed to a three-year deal with the San Diego Padres.
However, a bigger plan could be in place for the Cubs, especially in the trade market.
One of the bigger names that keeps being thrown around in trade rumors is Washington Nationals pitcher MacKenzie Gore. The Nationals were actively looking to trade him this past July, so there’s a good chance he is moved at some point this winter.
The Cubs are likely a potential landing spot for Gore. They tried to trade for him at the deadline and appear to be in the market for a frontline starter this offseason.
But what could a trade look like for the up-and-coming star pitcher?
Keith Law of The Athletic went on the Cubs Weekly Podcast at Marquee Sports Network and highlighted what the North Siders might need to give up for Gore. He listed Jaxon Wiggins and Jefferson Rojas as potential trade pieces for the left-hander.
That would mean the Cubs would have to give up their No. 3 prospect in Wiggins and their No. 4 prospect in Rojas. While Chicago could afford losing Rojas, getting rid of Wiggins could turn out to be a massive loss for the organization.
Wiggins has the stuff on the mound to be an above-average starter in the Major Leagues one day. He finished with a 2.19 ERA and 97 strikeouts across 78 innings pitched at High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A last season and has a mean fastball that sits in the upper 90s.
So, the Cubs should be hesitant to part ways with Wiggins. Not only did he show his potential in the Minor Leagues last year, but trading multiple top prospects in the farm system for Gore feels like a risky move.
The southpaw has been a very inconsistent starter throughout his career. He has a career 4.19 ERA in his four Major League seasons and struggled for most of the second half of the 2025 season. Gore had a 6.75 ERA across 11 starts post-All-Star break.
Although Gore could help this team in 2026, Wiggins figures to be a key part of Chicago’s future. He should make his MLB debut at some point next season, and the Cubs would have him under team control for at least six years.
